In a resounding call to elevate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the 7th SIAM CSR Conclave under the theme “CSR Partnerships From Shared Vision to Shared Value.” This Conclave united industry titans, CSR practitioners, policymakers, NGOs, and development experts to reimagine collaborative partnership models that drive inclusive growth, community empowerment, and self-reliant national development.
The Opening Session on “CSR as National Development Catalyst – Building the Nation, Responsibly” set a powerful tone for discussions on the automobile industry’s commitment to a sustainable future and responsible nation-building.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Mr. Prashant K. Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, underlined the role of industry-led CSR initiatives in improving lives across communities. He said, “The whole idea of SIAM’s focus on CSR comes from the fact that we believe in building the nation responsibly. Our founders always believed that the industry must contribute to society in the best possible capacity. The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision can only be realised through an ecosystem where businesses look beyond sectoral growth and include civil society, health, sanitation, and social development in every part of the country. As a diversified and deeply integrated industry with a presence across the country, we have meaningful touchpoints with communities. Reaching them in a sustainable and socially responsible manner is our collective contribution.”
Later in the session, a screening of SIAM CSR Initiatives followed in the presence of the dignitaries. The occasion also marked the release of SIAM’s CSR Compendium, showcasing key CSR initiatives undertaken by SIAM member companies.
Guest of Honour Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS (Retd.), Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, who engaged in an insightful dialogue, discussed about, “Corporates must remain relevant to both the planet and the people around them. In India, CSR began as charity at home, with public sector enterprises taking nearly a four-year lead over the private sector, and was long seen as the government’s responsibility before evolving into a powerful opportunity. The next phase of CSR 2.0 calls for fresh thinking and stronger impact, enabled by technology such as AI for on-ground, verifiable data, along with third-party evaluation and greater professionalisation of the field. Sectors like automobiles must also address priorities such as waste management, process re-engineering, and carbon capture. CSR must move from the backroom to the boardroom, driven by robust governance and a long-term commitment to social change.”
Mr. Puneet Anand, Chairman, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Associate Vice President & Vertical Head, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., highlighted the importance of partnerships in creating long-term social value. He stated, “India is the first country to mandate CSR through legislation, with nearly 800 organisations participating and about ₹2.2 lakh crore invested so far. Over time, CSR has matured into a structured pillar of corporate governance, guided by alignment, accountability, and impact. The sector must now move beyond the statutory 2% threshold to deliver measurable outcomes, strengthen skill development and employability, build community resilience, and create replicable district-level models through collaborations that enable lasting national transformation.”
Mr. Prabhakant Jain, CSR Head, D S Group; Mr. Yashpal Sachar, Vice President (Corporate Affairs), Ashok Leyland Ltd.; Mr. Tarun Agarwal, Sr. Vice President & Head-CSR, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., and Ms. Sulekha Kaul, Partner, Vaish & Associates Advocates, also shared their insights on impactful CSR models as a catalyst to drive sustainable change.
The session concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Rajeev Taneja, Co-Chair SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Vertical Head – CSR Operation, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Ltd. He added, “CSR is central to India’s automobile sector’s journey toward inclusive growth. In the next phase, we must rapidly evolve from compliance to conviction. It must now be pursued intentionally and measurably through collaboration for real impact. Behind every CSR program lies a human story, and at its core, CSR is about empathy, dignity, and tangible change that improves lives. While the statutory framework has provided structure, the industry must now focus on outcomes through stronger transparency, alignment with national priorities, and cross-industry collaboration, especially in priority geographies.”
The Thematic Session on “Educational and Corporate Outreach towards CSR Pillars” was moderated by Mr. Anuj Guglani, Founder & CEO, WAF Group, where he discussed about the four pillars of CSR including Environmental Rejuvenation & Circular Economy, Road Safety & Education, Health Sanitation & Well-being, and Skills Development & Employability.
The session was chaired by Mr. Rajendra Raut, Co-Chair, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Director (Corporate & Govt. Affairs), JSW MG Motor India, who stated, “Education is the enabling force in CSR which strengthens other pillars. Our CSR outreach must shift from donor-recipient approach to partnership and co-creation. It is evident that education and corporate engagement are foundational enablers. Without informed community and empowered youth, the most well-designed CSR programs will struggle achieving scale. Corporate outreach is evolving and it is no longer limited to philanthropy.”
The session included important presentations by Ms. Sanchita Vaish, Lead Specialist-Global Entity Governance & CSR Lead (India), Baker Hughes; Mr. Praveen Karn, Group Head Sustainability & CSR, Minda Group; Dr. (Ms.) Veenu Shankar, Assistant Professor, Delhi School of Management (DSM), Delhi Technological University (DTU); Ms. Anjali Makhija, CEO, S. M. Sehgal Foundation; and Dr. Chitra, CEO, Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF). This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by the session moderator, with closing remarks by the session chairman.
The Panel Discussion on “NGO & Corporate Perspective on Successful Collaboration Models towards CSR Execution” was moderated by Ms. Mugdha Mishra, Editor, Auto Media Strategy, Autocar India.
Esteemed panellists included Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC; Mr. Rahul Bansal, Head of Private & Public Sector Partnerships, UNICEF; Mr. Shailendra Singh, Director, Dhartie Warriors Foundation; Ms. Pritika Chand, Corporate Head, Jindal Stainless; Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj, Head – Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. & Co-Chairman, SIAM Skilling Group; Mr. Ajay Bhatt, Head-Comm., Ex. Affairs, Sustainability & CSR, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Head CSR & ESG, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.; and Ms. Runa Ahlawat, General Manager, JSW MG Motor India, who emphasised the importance of collaboration towards CSR execution.
The highlight of the day was the Fireside Chat on the theme “CSR Partnerships — From Shared Vision to Shared Value”, moderated by Ms. Mugdha Mishra, Editor, Auto Media Strategy, Autocar India, where Guest of Honour Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS (Retd.), Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, emphasised that sustainability practices such as waste management, process re-engineering, and carbon capture are critical priorities for the automobile industry.
This was followed by an Award Ceremony, which recognised outstanding CSR contributions. Mr. Puneet Anand, Chairman, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group, delivered the opening remarks. The prestigious SIAM CSR awards were distributed by dignitaries, including Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS (Retd.), Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs; Mr. Alok Jaitley, President – SAFE & EVP, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd; Mr. Puneet Anand, Chairman, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group; Mr. Rajeev Taneja, Co-Chair, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group; Mr Rajendra Raut, Co-Chair, SIAM CSR & Community Services Group; Mr. Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM; and Mr. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM.
The SIAM CSR awards presented under Category – Skill Enhancement and Education to Kedman Skilled India Foundation (Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.) and Centum Foundation (Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.); under Category – Healthcare & Sanitation to Karma Healthcare Trust (Hyundai Motor India Ltd.) and Sparsha Trust (Toyota); under Category – Road Safety to Learning Links Foundation (Ashok Leyland Ltd.) and The TSL Foundation (Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.); and under Category – Environmental Rejuvenation to Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.) and NAAM Foundation (TATA Motors).
Over the years, SIAM has consistently collaborated with governments, industry leaders, corporations, and key stakeholders to champion the transition to cleaner fuels and cutting-edge technologies. These purposeful engagements reflect SIAM’s core mission of ‘Building the Nation, Responsibly’ while advancing sustainable mobility and contributing meaningfully to India’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
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